Thankful to be Sober :)

MaryO

MaryO

Active member
I've seen plenty of threads over the years about drinking, partying and smoking weed etc....., so I thought I'd create a sobering thread. A thread for anyone who has been touched by the disease of alcoholism or drug addiction. Whether it be yourself, a family member, or a friend, most of us have been effected by addiction in some way or another.

Drinking and partying. Been there-done that, to an excess in fact. I won't deny that my early days of drinking in high school, college and young adulthood were pretty fun times, those I remember anyway. But there comes a time for some, as it did for me, that the fun times of drinking are few and far between, and are increasingly replaced with bad, ugly and even dangerous times. For the problem drinker or potential alcoholic, the increasing negative effects of alcohol far outweigh the positive. Still, repeated negative consequences isn't always enough for one to seek help, let alone stop on there own. Not for the true alcoholic anyway. No it takes hitting rock bottom to finally surrender the old way of life and seek a life free from chemicals. A life of freedom.

I take no credit for the innitial steps in my road to recovery. What true alcoholic or addict wants to admit they are beaten, and that they have to live out the rest of their life w/o ever having another drink or drug? Said no one, unless you've been beaten down so badly you choose life over death and take another path. The path to freedom!! I thank my family, who through TOUGH LOVE, took the first step in getting me the help I didn't think I needed. Who wants to admit they need help?? Certainly not me back then.

My journey started 10+ years ago, when my family felt "I needed" a little vacation. A sort of "retreat" to get healthy and renewed haha;) Well believe me I did not go willingly, but instead was angry, defensive and belligerent as ever! For this was no "Club-Med where I was being escorted. This was Club Hazelden Treatment Center!! "How dare someone think I needed help" I thought ha! Well it didn't take me long to realize that I did! What seemed like the worst day of my life, turned out to be a blessing in disguise! A new beginning towards a rewarding life of sobriety filled with happiness, peace and serenity. It wasn't easy though in the early days of recovery, not by a long shot. I had my share of bumps along the way. But I can honestly say I would never want to go back. I'm thankful for every day I'm sober and loving life. So many good things have come to me since I quit drinking. I'm blessed I had friends and family who cared enough about me to get me help, and to support me in my recovery. I'm blessed I have a Higher Power I call God who put people in my life to save me. I'm thankful for everyday that I don't pick up a bottle. I'm especially thankful that today, I don't even desire a drink, but get high off the simple things.....like snow! And guess what! Life is still FUN!!

One final thought. Although I'm not drinking, the addictive personality is still ever present. I've just traded drinking for an addiction to the freeski community I love, and the social media to spread the word. Maybe this explains my relentless pursuit of commenting and "Liking" on fb and Twitter

Anyway, just wanted to share because maybe there is someone out there who could benefit from hearing a little bit of my story. Cheers!:)
 
You substituted drinking and drugs for addiction to the ski community? Hmm, maybe Mayor Ford will join NS soon too.
 
My cousin struggled with a cocaine addiction for a while. He ended up quitting cold turkey when he met his girlfriend and now wife. She wanted to write a book about it but he wont let her.

And congrats on going clean!
 
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I have a feeling that this thread based on recent events that happened. But congrats on sobriety. I have friends that struggled with addictions.
 
Props MaryO! I feel like the dangers of alcoholism are severely downplayed in our society - especially in high school and on college campuses. Even as a college kid who does drink I can see kids around me who are probably headed towards alcoholism post-graduation.
 
Thank you, and others who have given me props. But in all honesty, I didn't reveal this to receive praise, but rather by sharing this, maybe there is someone out there who needs to hear it. Maybe it could help someone. Know that if anyone wants to talk about it, or if they themselves have a problem, I'm happy to listen. Taking my downfall and try to help others. I've seen a lot over the years, and if there is anything I can do, its be a good listener. I have great compassion for anyone struggling with any addicition. Life's not always easy.
 
That's just great! I admire people who are able to stop all on their own. They make is look so easy, and myself weak. But every case is different. It's all good as long as you reach the goal! Congrats to him!
 
Truth, but the problem is when you can't stop once you get started. I'd still be drinking if I could hold it to just 3 haha.
 
Oh this is just my fun outlet. I do so much more believe me. My home, my yard, my volunteering, my family, my working at my hubby's office, but MOST IMPORTANTLY I'm a good mom now. My kids know they can depend on me to be there. I'm their #1 fan, always there to help and support them. They don't have to live in fear of me being drunk. I'm ALWAYS there for them. We have fun together, and they can learn from my past. I'm so thankful I quit drinking before I lost everything dear to me.

But yeah I am on the social networks a lot. It's just so addictive!
 
What is your kids take on you stopping drinking? I know they are around the age in which they would be "experimenting" with drugs and alcohol.

Would they be able to say that there is a noticeable difference about your dependability from before you stopped to now?

Would they agree that you are much better parent now?

Sorry if these are inappropriate questions I am just curious.
 
People who are being smartasses in this thread don't know what a real problem is. Good for you for being able to prioritize your life.
 
maryO I don't mean to be that guy, but I think what you call partying back in your day, and partying in terms of today are two different things. I don't feel that alcohol is as much of a problem as much as drugs are for us youngins.
 
Hmm....sounds a lot like unsolicited internet 12 stepping over here.

A program based on attraction, rather than promotion, no? I don't know that evangelizing 15-25 year old's about alcoholism and addiction is exactly in the spirit of the principles and traditions....
 
MaryO, not to be mean, because I think that your story is truly valuable and meaningful for a lot of people, however, I can't help but feel that this is misplaced guidance (or underhandedly implying something recently happened to bring this up.) unfortunately, I think that the kids who are going to push the limits of drinking and drugs are going to do it no matter what anyone says. I'm not an idiot and I did it anyway, almost especially because I knew it was bad for me. These are lessons to be learnt and while I feel that formal addiction therapy works for a lot of people, more needs to be done to understand how drinking alcohol or smoking weed can become part of one's life as opposed to something that governs it.. Moderation techniques can be just as valuable as abstinence based ones.
 
I was joking BTW, do people really think that could end well? I know kids that do some hard drugs but they are at least smart enough no to mix shit up and kill themselves.
 
While I still enjoy casual drinking and partying, I fully agree that besides a sick beat "hate being sober" doesn't resonate with me. It feels so damn good to feel just super sharp and on point. Skiing or just waking up super energized in the morning and feeling able and agile is so satisfying and liberating. good for yo maryO!
 
i drink once in a while and thats enough for me. i dont understand how people do that shit everyday. i mean why dont you just stab yourself in the liver now and get it over with? but seriously, being drunk all the time doesnt even sound appealing to me in any way
 
only because in your country you have to be an old man before you can legally drink.

if you think out parents generations didn't do as much drugs as ours, you're sheltered af.
 
i think kids are doing more molly and mdma and heroin more than our parents, the amount of kids I know that went to rehab just for heroin alone is shocking to me. I've talk to a few adults about this before and thats just what i came to, I feel like our parents did more coke and lsd but that's about it, as always I could be wrong.
 
First sentence is gold. Plus in my opinion, most teens just flat out don't like the taste of alcohol. Plus drugs have so much hype in popular media these days
 
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